LINZ Maps On Track

A new 1:250,000 topographic map series (Topo250) will be released by LINZ next year.

The Topo250 joins the 1:50,000 series (Topo50), which is being released in September 2009. A date for the release of the Topo250 series has yet to be set.

LINZ has changed the datum and projection from the current map series (260 and 262) to those that are commonly used internationally and in modern navigational systems, such as GPS. The Topo50 and Topo250 maps will be based on Geodetic Datum 2000 (NZGD2000) and New Zealand Transverse Mercator 2000 (NZTM2000) projection.

While the physical features on the new map series will not change, the coordinates of those features will. The areas that the maps cover will also change, due to a new A1 portrait format.

Digital images of maps in both series in Tiff format (of the whole map including legend and index) and Georeferenced Tiff format (of the spatial data area only) will be available. The image resolution, distribution details, and exact timing for release are yet to be confirmed.

Production is well underway on the Topo50 series, with cartographic text placement for the maps halfway through.

Coordinate conversion tools are available on the LINZ website, as well as project updates on both the Topo50 and Topo250 series.

To be kept up to date on production progress, email newmapseries@linz.govt.nz with “subscribe to new map series project updates” in the subject line.